Wakeboard removal device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a wakeboard removal device that includes an aluminum c-shaped block with a vertical base with two ends and a center portion and a pair of horizontal protrusions disposed on each end with a threaded aperture disposed on the horizontal base and a rack that includes a base with three prongs extending from the base that form a fork. The device also includes a locking handle with a distal end that includes a threaded screw extension disposed on the distal end of the handle that is screwed through a threaded aperture of a boat tower and a plurality of threaded bolts that removably attach the rack to the c-shaped block.

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

Currently there are limited alternatives to water-sport mounts thatattach to a boat tower. Conventional wakeboard racks utilize four boltsas the primary clamping mechanism, which often prevents the bracket fromsetting flush to a tower, thereby obstructing a boater's means ofegress.

The present invention generally relates to a removal device. Morespecifically, the invention is a wakeboard removal device.

It is an object of the invention to provide a wakeboard removal devicethat utilizes a single-screw type locking handle that goes through aboat tower and onto a boat mount that does not obstruct a boater's meansof egress.

It is an object of the invention to provide a wakeboard removal devicethat is easy to install and remove.

It is an object of the invention to provide a wakeboard removal devicethat is reversible.

What is really needed is a wakeboard removal device that utilizes asingle-screw type locking handle that goes through a boat tower and ontoa boat mount that does not obstruct a boater's means of egress that iseasy to install and remove and is reversible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments,but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichlike references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagonal side perspective view of a wakeboardremoval device, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described usingterms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention maybe practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes ofexplanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrativeembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Inother instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in ordernot to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, inturn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the presentinvention. However, the order of description should not be construed asto imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Inparticular, these operations need not be performed in the order ofpresentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrasegenerally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. Theterms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless thecontext dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagonal side perspective view of a wakeboardremoval device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The wakeboard removal device 100 goes through a boat towerand onto a boat mount that is easy to install and remove and is alsoreversible.

The wakeboard removal device 100 includes a c-shaped block 110, a rack120, a locking handle 130 and a plurality of threaded bolts 140. Thec-shaped block 110 has a pair of horizontal protrusions 112 on each end114 of a vertical base 116 of the c-shaped block 110. The horizontalprotrusions 112 are perpendicular to the ends 114 of the vertical base116 to form the c-shape of the c-shaped block 110. The c-shaped block110 is made of aluminum but can be made of any suitable material. Thevertical base 116 has a threaded aperture 111 disposed on the centerportion 118 of the vertical base 116. The rack 120 has a base 122 withthree prongs 124 extending from the base 122 forming a fork or e-shape126. The locking handle 130 has a threaded screw extension 132 on thedistal end 134 of the locking handle 130. The threaded screw extension132 is screwed through a threaded aperture 136 of a boat tower 138 andinto the threaded aperture 111 of the c-shaped block 110. The threadedbolts 140 are utilized to removably attach the rack 120 to the c-shapedblock 110 and are typically made of metal but can be made of anysuitable material.

The wakeboard removal device includes an E-shaped rack that is bolted toan aluminum block with a threaded center. The wakeboard removal deviceis then clamped through the threaded hole in the boat or vessel towerwith a locking handle that has a ½″×13 cm thread 2″ in length. Thewakeboard removal device is easy and straightforward to assemble, wherea user can simply slide the locking handle through the boat tower andproceeded by screwing the locking handle into the aluminum block tocreate a firm grasp. The wakeboard removal device will be readilyavailable in boat retail stores such as Bass Pro™ and Riva MotorSports™. The wakeboard removal device features a rack design that isprimarily compatible for boat towers that have a flat cross member. Thedesign of the wakeboard removal device allows the user to place thedevice where they desire on the vessel and is intended for avid boatersand water sportsman.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoingembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventionis not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention canbe practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded asillustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

1. A wakeboard removal device, comprising: a c-shaped block thatincludes a vertical base with two ends, a center portion and a pair ofhorizontal protrusions disposed on each said end with a threadedaperture disposed on said horizontal base; a rack that includes a basewith three prongs extending from said base; a locking handle with adistal end that includes a threaded screw extension disposed on saiddistal end of said handle that is screwed through a threaded aperture ofa boat tower; and a plurality of threaded bolts that removably attachsaid rack to said c-shaped block.
 2. The device according to claim 1,wherein said block is perpendicular to said ends of said vertical baseto form said c-shaped block.
 3. The device according to claim 1, whereinsaid threaded aperture is disposed on said center portion of saidhorizontal base.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said threeprongs form a fork.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein saidthree prongs form an e-shape.
 6. The device according to claim 1,wherein said threaded screw extension is screwed into said threadedaperture of said c-shaped block.
 7. A wakeboard removal device,comprising: an aluminum c-shaped block that includes a vertical basewith two ends, a center portion and a pair of horizontal protrusionsdisposed on each said end with a threaded aperture disposed on saidhorizontal base; a rack that includes a base with three prongs extendingfrom said base that form a fork; a locking handle with a distal end thatincludes a threaded screw extension disposed on said distal end of saidhandle that is screwed through a threaded aperture of a boat tower; anda plurality of threaded bolts that removably attach said rack to saidc-shaped block.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said blockis perpendicular to said ends of said vertical base to form saidc-shaped block.
 9. The device according to claim 7, wherein saidthreaded aperture is disposed on said center portion of said horizontalbase.
 10. The device according to claim 7, wherein said three prongsform an e-shape.
 11. The device according to claim 7, wherein saidthreaded screw extension is screwed into said threaded aperture of saidc-shaped block.
 12. The device according to claim 7, wherein said devicehas a finish selected from the group consisting of chrome, aluminum or apowder coating.
 13. A wakeboard removal device, comprising: an aluminumc-shaped block that includes a vertical base with two ends, a centerportion and a pair of horizontal protrusions disposed on each said endwith a threaded aperture disposed on said horizontal base; a rack thatincludes a base with three prongs extending from said base that form afork; a locking handle with a distal end that includes a threaded screwextension disposed on said distal end of said handle that is screwedthrough a threaded aperture of a boat tower; and a plurality of threadedbolts that removably attach said rack to said c-shaped block.
 14. Thedevice according to claim 13, wherein said block is perpendicular tosaid ends of said vertical base to form said c-shaped block.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 13, wherein said block is approximately 4inches in height, 2¾ inches in thickness and 1½ inches in width.
 16. Thedevice according to claim 13, wherein said threaded aperture is disposedon said center portion of said horizontal base.
 17. The device accordingto claim 13, wherein said three prongs form an e-shape.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein said locking handle is approximately 2inches long with said threaded screw extension having an approximate ½inch by 13 cm threading.
 19. The device according to claim 13, whereinsaid threaded screw extension is screwed into said threaded aperture ofsaid c-shaped block.
 20. The device according to claim 13, wherein saiddevice has a finish selected from the group consisting of chrome,aluminum or a powder coating.